If you have a child at home who has cerebral palsy, then there is a lot you have to do to take care of him. The doctor will undoubtedly advise medications and therapies to manage the condition better.
Luckily, therapies have shown promising results for children with CP. There are various types of Cerebral Palsy therapy. Hippotherapy is one of those therapies that will ensure great results.
The benefits are high and offer the child a better chance of regaining control in life. It is a type of therapy that utilizes horses and can help improve the mobility and physical functioning of the child.
Not to mention, it also helps the child with CP cope with emotional challenges and become confident.
How does hippotherapy help with CP?
The physician usually recommends different therapies for your child to improve balance and pelvic control.
However, they will also recommend traditional forms of treatment, such as cerebral palsy occupational therapy and cp child physiotherapy. These therapies help to improve balance, strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and support your child as they develop the necessary skills to complete regular tasks.
However, there are numerous other alternative therapies as well that can benefit children with CP, including hippotherapy.
Hippotherapy was first introduced in the 1960s, but it gradually made its way to the United States after its benefits became known to everyone.
It is known that hippotherapy can help with speech and language skills, cognitive skills, physical strength, neuromuscular and sensitive reactions, and overall well-being.
It is not the same as therapeutic horseback riding, where the child learns to ride horses for benefits; instead, the therapist uses the horse’s movements and characteristics to help with issues.
The children with CP experience the gait, rhythm, repetition, and tempo of the horse’s movement.
It has proven to help with posture, balance, sensory strength, social skills, abnormal muscle tone, self-esteem, and much more.
So, no matter whether your child has Dyskinetic cerebral palsy or any other form, getting started with hippotherapy can be beneficial for him.
It will help him learn the essential skills that will ensure he can manage his regular activities properly.
When to start hippotherapy?
Before you start hippotherapy for your child, you must speak with the physician to ensure the individual’s physical and mental challenges can benefit from this form of therapy.
Further, it is also essential to get the approval of the physician that the associated disorder of your child will not increase from the physical challenges of hippotherapy.
If the physician mentions that your child can benefit from hippotherapy, then there is no prescribed age at which you can start. Children of all age groups can participate in and benefit from hippotherapy.
What is a typical hippotherapy session like?
Children who have Dyskinetic cerebral palsy can benefit significantly from hippotherapy.
When the physician recommends that you schedule a session with someone trusted before the patient starts the first hippotherapy session, they will assess the child’s physical, cognitive, and emotional strength.
This will help determine if the child is ready for therapy and if any accommodations are required when sitting on the horse.
After this, the therapist will explain the importance of safety, including how to properly mount and dismount the horse, what to expect when the horse moves, and the horse’s equipment.
Once all the safety training is completed, the therapist will monitor and assess the child while mounting the horse and during all the movements.
In almost all cases, the therapist will walk alongside the horse and the child while modifying the horse’s movement to be safe for the child.
Each session will consist of similar activities as the child continues to learn and respond to the horse’s natural gait and shifts. This will help build physical strength and endurance, help the child develop a sense of self, and improve his overall well-being.
Where to find hippotherapy?
When your physician recommends hippotherapy for dyskinetic cerebral palsy, you must research well and find someone trusted for it.
Many horse farms are created for specialized training, and hippotherapy is also a part of it.
Finding a hippotherapy location near your house may be challenging as most farms are in rural areas.
The training organization will provide an educational program to the therapist who wishes to work in hippotherapy to learn the required skills to work with children and horses with special needs.
The therapist will generally have at least three years of experience in their field and 100 hours of hippotherapy training.
It would help if you took the time to research the options available and see who has the proper certification and training for the job.
As it concerns your child’s safety, you need to be extra cautious here and trust only someone who is specialized and has a good reputation.
Make sure you do thorough research online and make recommendations. It will ease the process and help you find a trainer who meets all the requirements.
Conclusion
The benefits of hippotherapy for CP are many. If you wish to start with therapy, consider trusting the Trishla Foundation. They have best doctor for cerebral palsy in India, specialized and skilled professionals who can manage all cases effectively.
No matter the severity of the condition, the professionals will start the therapy session right and offer your child the support he needs for better recovery and training.
You can rely on them for customized treatments and better management of the condition.
